Islam by Sword Or By Persuasion (Part II)
By: Dr. Maqsood Jafri

Islam in many countries was spread by mystics. The saints persuaded people through their moderate, humane and loving conduct and character. Professor Malcolm Clark in his book entitled "Islam for Dummies" observes: "Sufis played a major role in converting people to Islam in regions such as sub-Sahara Africa, South Asia (today's Pakistan, India and Bangladesh), and Central Asia." We can aptly claim that Islam has logical force to spread its message. It needs no coercion and oppression. It is not a militant religion as wrongly ascribed by Bertrand Russell. Here I deem it necessary to cite from a few eminent non-Muslim scholars about the verity, veracity and truth of Islam. De LacyO' Leary writes: "History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated." About the universality of Islam eminent playwright and thinker of Britain George Bernard Shah writes: "If any religion has chance of ruling over England, nay Europe, within the  next  hundred  years,  it  can only be

Islam. I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality." About the Prophet of Islam Lamartine writes: "Philosopher, orator, messenger, legislator, conqueror of ideas, and restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images: the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire that is Muhammad." This was about the vitality and universality of Islam and Muhammad. Let me quote an excerpt from a great British thinker and historian Thomas Carlyle who is unforgettable for his renowned books entitled "Heroes and Hero-worship" and "Sartus Resartus". He writes: "Sincerity, in all senses, seems to me the merit of the Qur'an."

We can not ignore the views of great German thinker and poet Goethe about the excellence of the Qur'an. After these genuine acceptances and acknowledgement of truth of Islam by eminent non-Muslim thinkers we come to the conclusion that Islam is a natural, rational, practicable and universal religion based on freedom, fairness, justice, equality, humanity and peace.

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